To deal with system-related issues on Windows, we often take the aid of Windows’ inbuilt diagnostic tools. One such tool is SFC or System File Checker. While in most cases, it is helpful, sometimes it may run into issues. For instance, many users who ran the SFC checker tool received a message that stated that “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.” The error message in the Command Prompt further adds “Details are included in the CBS.Log windir\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For example C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log.”
Even though the issue may look irresolvable, it is not. In this post, we are going to have a look at some of the best ways to fix the issue. But before that, let’s have a look at some causes that may lead to this issue –
Reasons Behind Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files
- Presence of corrupt cached copies of system files.
- Third-party applications or background processes are interfering with SFC utility.
- Some Nvidia files (.dll) are corrupted
- SFC has insufficient resources to fix the issue.
What To Do When You Run Into Windows Resource Protection Found Corrupt Files
Solution No. 1 – Check For Virus
If SFC has given up and is returning the error “Windows resource protection found corrupt files”, chances are that a malware or malicious threat has replaced or damaged critical system files. Here you can bring an Antivirus tool into force.
One such tool is Systweak Antivirus. It protects your computer from all kinds of malicious threats in real-time and comes loaded with various security features because of which no virus threat can enter your PC.
Here are some of the notable features of Systweak Antivirus –
- Get rid of malicious threats that may cause harm to your system or slow it down.
- Multiple scan modes -Quick, Deep, and Custom to check every nook and corner of your PC. You can also check specific files for viruses.
- Thwart infections that may exploit your PC’s vulnerabilities.
- Manage startup items that might be malicious.
- Active web and firewall protection.
We have discussed all these features and the working of Systweak Antivirus in this post.
Solution No. 2 – Run The Check Disk Utility
The Check Disk Utility or the CHKDSK utility in the elevated Command Prompt helps scan your hard drive for inconsistencies or any bad sectors.
Step 1 – In the Windows search bar type cmd and click on Run as administrator from the right-hand side.
Step 2 – When the Command Prompt opens, type chkdsk /c /f and press Enter.
Step 3 – Press Y.
Solution No. 3 – Run DISM Command
If the SFC commands fail and return errors like “Windows resource protection found corrupt files”, you can instead use the DISM command in the administrative Command Prompt. It stands for Deployment Image Servicing and Management. It helps fix issues by repairing Windows images. Here is how you can run the DISM command –
Step 1 – Open the Administrative Command Prompt as shown above.
Step 2 – When the Command Prompt opens, type dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Solution No. 4 – Update Windows
Quite like in the case of most of the issues, if your SFC scan returns a “Windows resource protection found corrupt files” error, chances are that you haven’t updated your Windows operating system in a while. If you don’t update Windows PC regularly you are bound to run into errors and vulnerabilities. Here is how you can update your Windows PC –
Step 1 – Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Step 2 – From the left-hand pane, click on Windows Update, which is the last option.
Step 3 – From the right-hand side, click on Check for updates, and if there is an update available, follow the on-screen instructions and download that update.
Here is how you can check for and update your Windows 10 computer.
Solution No. 5 – Run Both DISM and SFC Commands In Safe Mode
In case the above solutions are not functional, you can try running both the SFC and DISM commands in the Safe Mode. Here is how you can boot in Safe Mode. Once you have booted your computer in Safe Mode, run both the commands.
Solution No. 6 – Try Resetting This PC
It could be that you have misconfigured a system setting because of which the error at hand has surfaced. In that case, you can try resetting your PC. But, before you do that, we urge you to take a backup of your PC beforehand.
Step 1 – Open Settings. By pressing Windows + I.
Step 2 – Click on System from the left-hand pane (if not already selected).
Step 3 – Under Recovery options, click on Reset PC and follow the on-screen instructions.
Solution No. 7 – Run SFC In WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment)
If you are unable to run the SFC Scan under normal conditions, you can try out the Windows Recovery Environment or WinRE and host the SFC Scan. The WinRE operates with minimum resources and hence, you might be able to run the SFC Scan. Here are the steps to do that –
Step 1 – Press Start, click on the power button, hold the Shift key, and then press Restart.
Step 2 – Click on Troubleshoot.
Step 3 – Click on Advanced options.
Step 4 – Select Command Prompt.
Step 5 – Run the sfc /scannow command.
Wrapping Up
Encountering the “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files” can be frustrating but it is not something that you can’t resolve. We hope that the solutions above can help you fix the issue. You can start by checking your PC for malware using an Antivirus and if nothing else seems to work you can run the SFC scan in the WinRE mode. For more such content, keep reading WeTheGeek. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Flipboard.